Boca Juniors, Internacional, Olimpia and the Catholic University signed on Wednesday their presence in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores 2021, an unfortunate day for Santos, finalist of the last edition, who will have as consolation fighting in the South American Cup.
The ‘xeneize’, who has between his eyebrows the seventh Libertadores title to equal his compatriot Independiente as the maximum monarch of the continental tournament, achieved the pass as second in Group C by beating The Strongest 3-0 in Buenos Aires.
Agustín Almendra (3), Sebastián Villa (44) and Gabriel Valverde (55, against) scored the goals for Boca, who needed to win to secure a ticket to the next round.
By the same key, Santos said goodbye to the Libertadores through the back door by falling 3-1 with the leader Barcelona, absolute owner of the area.
The Argentine Damián Díaz was once again a figure when he achieved a double for the Ecuadorian idol (15 and 54 minutes) and the striker Jean Carlos Montaño sentenced the lawsuit (77). Kaio Jorge discounted for the visit (47 + 2).
Barcelona won the key with 13 points, Boca reached 10, while the ‘Peixe’, who will play the round of 16 of the Sudamericana, left with 6, the same units of The Strongest.
In Group B, Internacional and Olimpia the places were awarded to the eighths.
The ‘Colorado gaúcho’ reached first place by adding 10 points after the goalless draw with Always Ready in Porto Alegre, while the Paraguayan ‘Dean’ beat Táchira 6-2 in a dramatic match played in Asunción, placing second with 9 units.
Olimpia’s goals were conquered by Richard Ortiz (24 and 83), Hugo Quintana (31), Derlis González (55, from a penalty) and Isidro Pitta (70 and 72). For Táchira, who will play the eighth of the South American, Maurice Cova (61) and Douglas Angarita (75) scored.
With Argentinos Juniors classified in advance with the winner of Group F, the second place was in dispute between the Universidad Católica, Atlético Nacional and Nacional de Uruguay.
Luck smiled on the Chileans with a 2-0 victory over the ‘purslane’ in Santiago, the same result that the ‘Bolsa’ charrúa achieved in Montevideo against the ‘Bicho’ of Argentina.
With these results, Argentinos finished solid in the leadership with 12 points, followed by the ‘crusaders’ with 9. Nacional, with 8 units, was third but with the pass to the eighth of the South American. Atlético Nacional was left without international competition for this year when they were at the bottom with 5 units.
In the absence of Thursday’s games to close the group stage, in which only the Group G classification order will be at stake, where Flamengo (11 points) and Vélez Sarsfield (9) were left with the places to the eighth In the end, the table for the next round was complete this Wednesday.
Key winners: Atlético Mineiro (16 points) Racing Club (14), Barcelona (13), Palmeiras (12), Argentinos Juniors (12), Fluminense (11), Internacional (10).
Keys Seconds: Sao Paulo (11), Boca Juniors (10), Cerro Porteño (10), Vélez Sarsfield (9), River Plate (9), Universidad Católica (9), Olimpia (9), Defense and Justice (8).
The draw for the round of 16 program will be held on Tuesday in Luque, at the Conmebol headquarters, and the way will be set for the final on November 20 in Montevideo. (GG) (AFP)